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Climate Change
Transportation contributes 29% of total UK carnbon dioxide emissions (CO2)
(Source: DFT Transport Trends, 2011)
Reducing our carbon emission makes sense environmentally and commercially especially where energy use reduction is achieved, it delivers immediate cost saving and environmental benefits. As a business reducing our carbon emission is important for our long-term finances, risk management, reputation and environmental responsibility.
Our Performance on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions 2011
In 2011, National Express Group has seen a reduction in our overall carbon emission (GHG). 2010 we emitted 518,005 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) and in 2011 we emitted 506,528 (tCO2e), saving approximately 11,477 tCO2e, a reduction of 2.2% GHG across the group.
National Express Group Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Activity for 2011
| By Activity | tCO2e |
| Trains | 230,281 |
| Coaches | 100,415 |
| Buses | 139,006 |
| Premises | 35,945 |
| Business travel |
881 |
| Total | 506,528 |
Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions of National Express Group by WBC SD/ WRI for 2010 and 2011
| Scope |
tCO2e (2010) | tCO2e (2011) |
| 1 | 277,490 | 267,037 |
| 2 | 237,599 | 221,709 |
| 3 | 2,916 | 17,782 |
| Total | 518,005 | 506,528 |
Our CO2 emissions for scope 1, 2 and 3
From the bar graph above there is a slight increase in scope 3 due to change in the reporting category of scope 2 and scope 3 by DEFRA. Accounting of loss of energy in transmission was moved from scope 2 to scope 3 and hence the slight increase in scope 3.
Measured Carbon Emissions
World business council for sustainable development and world resource institute (WBC SD/ WRI), they produce a greenhouse gas protocol accounting and reporting standard measured in scope I, 2 and 3.
Scope 1: include direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sources owned and controlled by National Express such as fossil fuel and natural gas combustions and company owned vehicles.
Scope 2: accounts for GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heat and steam generated off site.
Scope 3: includes all other indirect emissions such as waste disposal, business travel and staff commuting.
We continue to reduce our total emission in the UK (Fig.3) over the reporting period. Whilst a proportion of the total reduction is due to loss of rail franchise further significant reductions have been achieved due to the initiatives we have invested in. We saw a total reduction of 2.2% from our coaches, buses, rail and business travel.
Total Greenhouse Gas emissions from UK operations (tCO2e) for the period of 2004 - 2011
Fleet Emissions
It is important to compare emissions per passenger travelling in order to assess the performance and impacts of different mode of transportation on carbon emission. (See fig.4)
Emissions per passenger kilometre for the key operating companies
Our figures show that coach is the greener way to travel as it uses the least amount of energy and produces the lowest carbon emission per passenger kilometre compared to our other transportation mode and significant better than an average journey in a car (emission for average car 151.0gCO2e/ pass.km, source: DEFRA/DECC’s Greenhouse Gas conversion factor, 2011).
Our trains are not far behind the coach and significantly better than the National rail average (65.1gCO2e/ pass.km, source: DEFRA/DECC, 2011). This is followed by our buses which operate in congested cities and towns also significant better than industrial average, thus illustrating the benefits of our services.
Putting these statistics into context using one of our coach services for example will take approximately 20 cars off the road saving approximately 3020gCO2e had those cars been on the road on an average journey.
What has National Express done to reduce its emissions?
We have embraced various distinct ways to tackle its emissions by working on:
Driver Behaviour:
Fuel Type:
Engine Type:
Train Regenerative Braking:
Site Energy Use:
Next steps
Thinking ahead we are working with Aston University in terms of development of new engine technology and fuel types to achieve further improvement on our carbon emissions across all our network and services. We are looking to develop trials of hydrogen-based solutions and improve the driver information system and training. We have also set a target of 5% improvement on fuel efficiency for the UK coach and bus fleets, 3% for Spain and 3% for our trains by the end of 2013. We are currently establishing targets of our US business.
National Express Group
National Express Group is a leading transport provider delivering services in the UK, North America Spain and Morocco. Every year more than 800 million journeys are made on our buses, trains, light rail services and coaches.National Express Group PLC is a company registered in England and Wales, whose registered office is National Express House, Birmingham Coach Station, Mill Lane, Digbeth Birmingham, B5 6DD. Registered No: 2590560.
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